This week, I finally attended the church that had been the nemesis of my congregation since just before I arrived. It is a church plant (one of four or five) that attracted a lot of church goers. Yes, they build the church by stealing fish. I'm not sure how many unchurched (and the dechurched) they received, but their benediction/motto is "See One, Save One".
I had been told the music is super loud. So I looked in my old purse for my earplugs. I dug and dug and finally found one way in the bottom. One wasn't going to do it! I thought and thought about where to look for more. Finally, I spotted a random item on my second dresser and there under my weekend bag was the matching earplug. Who would have thought! So now I was ready to head out.
I arrived about five minutes to start on purpose. I assumed I would run in to a lot of people I knew and possibly even former congregants who I knew had not made the switch, but did float between the two churches. I was surprised to hear my name, only to discover that one of the two families with young children from my previous church were parked next to me. Mom explained that they had problems with the new pastor's accent and trying to focus and understand his sermons while simultaneously keeping the girls quite and occupied. The girls were not happy with the move "but everyone is so nice to us here", but for the parents it worked. The girls were in their class during worship and they could enjoy the sermon. I didn't query them about the theology, as we had arrived at the door.
I entered and went right into the worship space. The band was already playing. It was loud, but not horribly so. However, I soon realized that one of the guitars was making a squealing noise (not quite feedback) that was hurting my ears. So, out came the ear plugs! The songs weren't familiar, but like most contemporary worship songs were easy to sing. I noted that about half the congregation was singing.
The sermon (one week later as I finally write this) was not memorable. It wasn't your usual Baptist fare. I didn't feel beat up, but Romans was again mentioned. It was a salvation message and need for a savior message, but I didn't feel beat up. I just didn't feel it was a very biblical message though scripture was incorporated.
I do not feel a need to return to check out another service. It was typical religion light and what people seem to be expecting in the way of Joel Osteen.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Doubling Down
Today, I returned to the church from last week in order to get a feel for the draw to the church through the contemporary service.
This service was different than the 8:30 service in ways other than the music. We began, not with scripture and prayer, but with a song. Then we had prayer followed by the announcements read by the lead pastor. After the announcements, the offering was collected and we were asked to join in the ending to the offertory. (I had been singing from the beginning because I loved "Good, Good Father")
The congregation was filled with children who had just been to Sunday school and most of them left at this point.
The lead pastor returned to the pulpit for the message. At this point, he shared that the 1 John series had ended, but as he looked at 2 John he realized it was another ending beyond what he had shared last week. He never did read the actual scripture, but moved right into the message.
His opening remarks revolved around 9/11 and never forget to 'watch out'. He then spoke to what the writer of 2 John might want us to watch out for. I was again expecting a sermon on the capital S Sinner, but was blindsided by his use of grace and salvation as cornerstones to his first point.
However, it was long into point two that he doubled down. He told the congregation they needed to watch out for false teachings. There are those out there who rely on their own reason to get through the day. I immediately stopped letting my mind wander. Yep, point two, was those who rely on their own experience. And he wasn't done yet, he also called out those who rely on tradition to verify scripture for them. Oh yeah, I heard very clearly the attack on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
Then came point three... Some people are take off the track by love. At this point, I'm deep into my own head and the UMC battle over LOVE. Do we love our neighbor and let God sort the wheat from the tares? Do we not love in this way because it is not the way to bring the Sinner to repentance? I was not disappointed in my expectations for the sermon. And of course, we closed with an altar call so that all those who have yet to repent or those who are still Sinners can make it right with their Savior and Lord.
I do not know what the congregation thought of the sermon or how these sermons are perceived by those seeking a church home, but as noted in the announcements they had over 20 more children at the midweek children's programming (101) than they had at their high last year (88) so they are reaching to a certain segment of the population.
This service was different than the 8:30 service in ways other than the music. We began, not with scripture and prayer, but with a song. Then we had prayer followed by the announcements read by the lead pastor. After the announcements, the offering was collected and we were asked to join in the ending to the offertory. (I had been singing from the beginning because I loved "Good, Good Father")
The congregation was filled with children who had just been to Sunday school and most of them left at this point.
The lead pastor returned to the pulpit for the message. At this point, he shared that the 1 John series had ended, but as he looked at 2 John he realized it was another ending beyond what he had shared last week. He never did read the actual scripture, but moved right into the message.
His opening remarks revolved around 9/11 and never forget to 'watch out'. He then spoke to what the writer of 2 John might want us to watch out for. I was again expecting a sermon on the capital S Sinner, but was blindsided by his use of grace and salvation as cornerstones to his first point.
However, it was long into point two that he doubled down. He told the congregation they needed to watch out for false teachings. There are those out there who rely on their own reason to get through the day. I immediately stopped letting my mind wander. Yep, point two, was those who rely on their own experience. And he wasn't done yet, he also called out those who rely on tradition to verify scripture for them. Oh yeah, I heard very clearly the attack on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
Then came point three... Some people are take off the track by love. At this point, I'm deep into my own head and the UMC battle over LOVE. Do we love our neighbor and let God sort the wheat from the tares? Do we not love in this way because it is not the way to bring the Sinner to repentance? I was not disappointed in my expectations for the sermon. And of course, we closed with an altar call so that all those who have yet to repent or those who are still Sinners can make it right with their Savior and Lord.
I do not know what the congregation thought of the sermon or how these sermons are perceived by those seeking a church home, but as noted in the announcements they had over 20 more children at the midweek children's programming (101) than they had at their high last year (88) so they are reaching to a certain segment of the population.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Capital S Sinner
So today was the day I finally headed out to the large Baptist Church. They had an 8:30 traditional service or an 11:00 contemporary service to choose from. I decided to get up early and hit the traditional today and the contemporary at a later date. Since I had been asked by a colleague to try to find out the draw to this church, I planned to attend both eventually.
To begin we stood to hear the scripture of the morning read and remained standing for the prayer. We then sang two hymns, followed by the choir anthem. Announcements were next.
I was already feeling the tone of the service and it was sinner with a capital "s". It wasn't a gracefilled message. I am intrinsically a Wesleyan in that I am a sinner saved by grace with the emphasis on the grace of Christ. This message was "I am a sinner and I'd better pray for a savior." Of course, the savior is Jesus Christ. But never is the focus on the loving kindness of this savior. It is always on "me the sinner" needing to confess my sinfulness and ask for forgiveness.
The message itself was presented on the ppt in the outline form A-1-2-3; B-1-2-3-; C-1-2-3. It was essentially the Roman Way through 1 John.
The service ended with an altar call. Not a call to come to the altar, but an exhortation to declare our sinfulness and pray for forgiveness.
I did not leave feeling refreshed nor understanding the growth of this church. There did appear to be a lot of community building, so maybe it isn't Sunday morning (though well attended) that bring people in but the fellowship.
To begin we stood to hear the scripture of the morning read and remained standing for the prayer. We then sang two hymns, followed by the choir anthem. Announcements were next.
I was already feeling the tone of the service and it was sinner with a capital "s". It wasn't a gracefilled message. I am intrinsically a Wesleyan in that I am a sinner saved by grace with the emphasis on the grace of Christ. This message was "I am a sinner and I'd better pray for a savior." Of course, the savior is Jesus Christ. But never is the focus on the loving kindness of this savior. It is always on "me the sinner" needing to confess my sinfulness and ask for forgiveness.
The message itself was presented on the ppt in the outline form A-1-2-3; B-1-2-3-; C-1-2-3. It was essentially the Roman Way through 1 John.
The service ended with an altar call. Not a call to come to the altar, but an exhortation to declare our sinfulness and pray for forgiveness.
I did not leave feeling refreshed nor understanding the growth of this church. There did appear to be a lot of community building, so maybe it isn't Sunday morning (though well attended) that bring people in but the fellowship.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Unexpected welcome
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was at home on Labor Day weekend. So on Saturday, I decided to attend a church that I had heard a lot about during my time in Great Bend.
As I arrived at the door, the greeter was familiar. It was a man that I had met through the local funeral home. He had also attended my Ash Wednesday and Christmas Eve services. For some reason, I thought he had attended church in town. I was mistaken.
I entered the church and realized I had forgotten that one of the ladies I frequently talked to at DD played the piano here. We exchanged pleasantries and I chose a seat. Soon after, the pastor's wife introduced herself and offered to sit with me. I said okay. Then the wife of the greeter came over to say hi. As I settled in my seat, I realized I knew another parishioner peripherally through the food bank.
There were many players in the worship service. The pastor's wife did the children's time and the congregational prayer. There was a lector and communion helpers and ushers. All in all there were about ten people involved in the service not including the greeters and the pianist.
The pastor gave a sermon based on Hebrews. It feels like I'm getting a lot of Paul so far on this journey. The sermon involved a lot of personal stories including one involving his dad and a bum invited home for Easter. Hospitality was emphasized.
The hospitality overflowed into the social hour. We moved next door to the social hall where people fixed plates, yes plates, of cookies and coffee cake and jello and fruit and vegetable and some sort of rolled tortilla sandwich. I settled for a donut. There was coffee and water and juice, but no tea that I could determine. I ended up having a pleasant conversation with a woman who I met at the food table.
All in all, it was a nice worship experience.
As I arrived at the door, the greeter was familiar. It was a man that I had met through the local funeral home. He had also attended my Ash Wednesday and Christmas Eve services. For some reason, I thought he had attended church in town. I was mistaken.
I entered the church and realized I had forgotten that one of the ladies I frequently talked to at DD played the piano here. We exchanged pleasantries and I chose a seat. Soon after, the pastor's wife introduced herself and offered to sit with me. I said okay. Then the wife of the greeter came over to say hi. As I settled in my seat, I realized I knew another parishioner peripherally through the food bank.
There were many players in the worship service. The pastor's wife did the children's time and the congregational prayer. There was a lector and communion helpers and ushers. All in all there were about ten people involved in the service not including the greeters and the pianist.
The pastor gave a sermon based on Hebrews. It feels like I'm getting a lot of Paul so far on this journey. The sermon involved a lot of personal stories including one involving his dad and a bum invited home for Easter. Hospitality was emphasized.
The hospitality overflowed into the social hour. We moved next door to the social hall where people fixed plates, yes plates, of cookies and coffee cake and jello and fruit and vegetable and some sort of rolled tortilla sandwich. I settled for a donut. There was coffee and water and juice, but no tea that I could determine. I ended up having a pleasant conversation with a woman who I met at the food table.
All in all, it was a nice worship experience.
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